Cap to be presented at Tarras match

Paul Allison.
Paul Allison.
There will be something a little  special at tomorrow afternoon’s match between Upper Clutha and Arrowtown at Tarras.

The match is played at Tarras, away from Upper Clutha’s regular home ground in Wanaka, and the Neil Purvis Memorial Shield is  at stake.

Not only is the shield up on the line — it is contested  once a year when Upper Clutha hosts a team at Tarras — but a ceremony is planned for just before the game for the presentation of the All Black cap of former Tarras farmer and All Black Neil Purvis.

Purvis died in 2008.

In August last year Cluden Station, near Tarras, was burnt to the ground.

Destroyed in the fire was much memorabilia, including the All Black cap given to Purvis in a ceremony a few years ago.

Purvis  played 14 games for the All Blacks in 1976, including a test against Ireland.

Sports broadcaster Paul Allison said he had been good friends with  Purvis and wanted to help the family after the fire.

He got in touch with New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew and the wheels were set in motion to get a new cap for the family.

Now with the game set for Tarras tomorrow the new cap, labelled number 746, will be presented just before the game between Upper Clutha and Arrowtown. It arrived in Cromwell yesterday.

It was hoped a couple of former All Blacks would come along and be part of the presentation of the cap to the Purvis family.

The Neil Purvis Memorial Shield is played between Upper Clutha and a variety of sides.  

The winning team  has its name engraved on the shield.

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